Members of the Casper Classical Academy look on as NHTICDirector Jude Carino presentsGayle Irwin with a corsage onher last day at the Trails Center.

CASPER, Wyo. - Over 700 people joined the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (NHTIC) for its annual “Holiday on the Homestead” Saturday, Dec. 8,2007. Admission was free all day.

This year’s theme was “Music and Family.” Families were entertained with a wide variety of musical presentations. Students from several Casper area schools performed in orchestras and choirs and a new group to the NHTIC, Prairie Winds, performed on a cadre of string instruments including guitar and banjo. Father Christmas was on hand as well, providing visitors and children with warm holiday greetings.

Each year NHTIC chooses a new theme. “Family and music have long been traditional elements of our culture, especially during this season. We invited everyone to come to the Trails Center and begin the celebration of this season with us,” said NHTIC Director Jude Carino.

NHTIC plans “Holiday on the Homestead” as a way to thank the community of Casper and the state of Wyoming for their support of the facility.

The Trails Center also said farewell to employee Gayle Irwin during the celebration. “Gayle has worked with us for five years and she will be greatly missed,” noted Carino.

The NHTIC is a public-private partnership between the Bureau of Land Management and the National Historic Trails Center Foundation.